Ms. Tesi

Obama Will Triumph -- So Will America

2010-09-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

This article is used with permission from New York Times best selling author Frank Schaeffer.

Before he'd served even one year President Obama lost the support of the easily distracted left and engendered the white hot rage of the hate-filled right. But some of us, from all walks of life and ideological backgrounds -- including this white, straight, 57-year-old, former religious right wing agitator, now progressive writer and (given my background as the son of a famous evangelical leader) this unlikely Obama supporter -- are sticking with our President. Why?-- because he is succeeding.

We faithful Obama supporters still trust our initial impression of him as a great, good and uniquely qualified man to lead us.

Obama's steady supporters will be proved right. Obama's critics will be remembered as easily panicked and prematurely discouraged at best and shriveled hate mongers at worst.

The Context of the Obama Presidency

Not since the days of the rise of fascism in Europe , the Second World War and the Depression has any president faced more adversity. Not since the Civil War has any president led a more bitterly divided country. Not since the introduction of racial integration has any president faced a more consistently short-sighted and willfully ignorant opposition - from both the right and left.

As the President's poll numbers have fallen so has his support from some on the left that were hailing him as a Messiah not long ago; all those lefty websites and commentators that were falling all over themselves on behalf of our first black president during the 2008 election.

The left's lack of faith has become a self-fulfilling "prophecy"-- snipe at the President and then watch the poll numbers fall and then pretend you didn't have anything to do with it!

Here is what Obama faced when he took office-- none of which was his fault:

# An ideologically divided country to the point that America was really two countries

# Two wars; one that was mishandled from the start, the other that was unnecessary and immoral

# The worst economic crisis since the depression

# America 's standing in the world at the lowest point in history

# A country that had been misled into accepting the use of torture of prisoners of war

# A health care system in free fall

# An educational system in free fall

# A global environmental crisis of history-altering proportions (about which the Bush administration and the Republicans had done nothing)

# An impasse between culture warriors from the right and left

# A huge financial deficit inherited from the terminally irresponsible Bush administration.

And those were only some of the problems sitting on the President's desk!

"Help" from the Right?

What did the Republicans and the religious right, libertarians and half-baked conspiracy theorists -- that is what the Republicans were reduced to by the time Obama took office -- do to "help" our new president (and our country) succeed? They claimed that he wasn't a real American, didn't have an American birth certificate, wasn't born here, was secretly a Muslim, was white-hating "racist", was secretly a communist, was actually the Anti-Christ, (!) and was a reincarnation of Hitler and wanted "death panels" to kill the elderly!

They not-so-subtly called for his assassination through the not-so-subtle use of vile signs held at their rallies and even a bumper sticker quoting Psalm 109:8. They organized "tea parties" to sound off against imagined insults and all government in general and gathered to howl at the moon. They were led by insurance industry lobbyists and deranged (but well financed) "commentators" from Glenn Beck to Rush Limbaugh.

The utterly discredited Roman Catholic bishops teamed up with the utterly discredited evangelical leaders to denounce a president who was trying to actually do something about the poor, the environment, to diminish the number of abortions through compassionate programs to help women and to care for the sick! And in Congress the Republican leadership only knew one word: "No!"

In other words the reactionary white, rube, uneducated, crazy American far right, combined with the educated but obtuse neoconservative war mongers, religious right shills for big business, libertarian Fed Reserve-hating gold bug, gun-loving crazies, child-molesting acquiescent "bishops", frontier loons and evangelical gay-hating flakes found one thing to briefly unite them: their desire to stop an uppity black man from succeeding at all costs!

"Help" from the Left?

What did the left do to help their newly elected president? Some of them excoriated the President because they disagreed with the bad choices he was being forced to make regarding a war in Afghanistan that he'd inherited from the worst president in modern history!

Others stood up and bravely proclaimed that the President's economic policies had "failed" before the President even instituted them! Others said that since all gay rights battles had not been fully won within virtually minutes of the President taking office, they'd been "betrayed"! (Never mind that Obama's vocal support to the gay community is stronger than any other president's has been. Never mind that he signed a new hate crimes law!)

Those that had stood in transfixed legions weeping with beatific emotion on election night turned into an angry mob saying how "disappointed" they were that they'd not all immediately been translated to heaven the moment Obama stepped into the White House!

Where was the "change"? Contrary to their expectations they were still mere mortals!

And the legion of young new supporters was too busy texting to pay attention for longer than a nanosecond. "Governing"?! What the hell does that word, uh, like mean?"

The President's critics left and right all had one thing in common: impatience laced with little-to-no sense of history (let alone reality) thrown in for good measure. Then of course there were the white, snide know-it-all commentators/talking heads who just couldn't imagine that maybe, just maybe they weren't as smart as they thought they were and certainly not as smart as their president. He hadn't consulted them, had he? So he must be wrong!

The Obama critics' ideological ideas defined their idea of reality rather than reality defining their ideas-say, about what is possible in one year in office after the hand that the President had been dealt by fate, or to be exact by the American idiot nation that voted Bush into office. Twice!

Meanwhile back in the reality-based community - in just 12 short months -- President Obama:

#Continued to draw down the misbegotten war in Iraq
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Thoughtfully and decisively picked the best of several bad choices regarding the war in Afghanistan
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Gave a major precedent-setting speech supporting gay rights
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Restored America 's image around the globe
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Banned torture of American prisoners
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Stopped the free fall of the American economy
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Put the USA squarely back in the bilateral international community
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Put the USA squarely into the middle of the international effort to halt global warming
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Stood up for educational reform
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Won a Nobel peace prize
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Moved the trial of terrorists back into the American judicial system of checks and balances
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Did what had to be done to start the slow, torturous and almost impossible process of health care reform that 7 presidents had failed to even begin
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Responded to hatred from the right and left with measured good humor and patience
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Stopped the free fall of job losses
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Showed immense personal courage in the face of an armed and dangerous far right opposition that included the sort of disgusting people that show up at public meetings carrying loaded weapons and carrying Timothy McVeigh-inspired signs about the "blood of tyrants" needing to "water the tree of liberty".
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

#Showed that he could not only make the tough military choices but explain and defend them brilliantly
(But that wasn't good enough for his critics)

Other than those "disappointing" accomplishments -- IN ONE YEAR -- President Obama "failed"! Other than that he didn't "live up to expectations"!

Who actually has failed...

...are the Americans that can't see the beginning of a miracle of national rebirth right under their jaded noses. Who failed are the smart ass ideologues of the left and right who began rooting for this President to fail so that they could be proved right in their dire and morbid predictions. Who failed are the movers and shakers behind our obscenely dumb news cycles that have turned "news" into
just more stupid entertainment for an entertainment-besotted infantile country.

Here's the good news: President Obama is succeeding without the help of his lefty "supporters" or hate-filled Republican detractors!

The Future Looks Good

After Obama has served two full terms, (and he will), after his wisdom in moving deliberately and cautiously with great subtlety on all fronts -- with a canny and calculating eye to the possible succeeds, (it will), after the economy is booming and new industries are burgeoning, (they will be), after the doomsayers are all proved not just wrong but silly: let the record show that not all
Americans were panicked into thinking the sky was falling.

Just because we didn't get everything we wanted in the first short and fraught year Obama was in office not all of us gave up. Some of us stayed the course. And we will be proved right.

Alpha Kappa Alpha announced as "co-winners" after national step competition results creates controversy

2010-02-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

After days of controversy over a white sorority's win in a national step competition, sponsor Coca-Cola announced Thursday that the second-place team will share top honors.

The Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority won the competition last weekend, which sparked controversy after the all white team beat out six Black fraternities and six Black sororities for the top spot. Step is a historically black art form of rhythmic stepping and clapping. This is the first year of the Sprite Step Off, but step contests are typically dominated by black sororities and fraternities, and A YouTube video of the winning performance by the University of Arkansas Sorority generated hundreds of comments, some of them inflammatory.

Coca-Cola said in a statement that a review of the scoring from Saturday's national contest revealed a "scoring discrepancy" that it declined to explain.

They released a statement saying,

“Due to the extremely narrow margin between the first and second place winning sororities, we conducted a further post-competition review and discovered a scoring discrepancy. There is no conclusive interpretation, nor definitive resolution for the discrepancy."

Coca-Cola said Thursday the Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. from Indiana University, whose members are black, would share first place and would also receive the same $100,000 in scholarships that the Zeta Tau Alphas won.

Who do you think should have won?

I have posted both of their performances below.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.: Tau Chapter - Indiana University

Zeta Tau Alpha: Epsilon Chapter - University of Arkansas

So you be the judge... Was it the AKAs or the ZTAs. Of course you know who I think did the best. Skee Wee! :-)

Amber Rose recreating Grace Jones' iconic pose...

2010-02-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

I don't love it, but it doesn't suck either. :-) What are your thoughts?

Spike Lee's Tribute To MJ

2009-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

Director Spike Lee found a way to use his talent as a director to pay tribute to the late great music icon Michael Jackson. He directed a video for Michael's posthumous single, 'This Is It.' Check it out:

Sex And The City 2 - May 28, 2010!!!!

2009-12-28T09:45:00.001-08:00

The Tyra Banks Show Will Be Going Away :-(

2009-12-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

Tyra Banks has announced that her Emmy winning talk show will be calling it quits in 2010.

She issued this statement to People: “This will be the last season of The Tyra Show. I’ve been loving having fun, coming into your living rooms, bedrooms, hair salons for the past 5 years. My next huge steps will allow me to reach more women and young girls to help us all feel as fierce as we truly are."

First Oprah, now Tyra... but Jerry Springer has been on the air for 20 years... :-(

The Difference Between A Woman and A Mother

2009-08-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

When you have a child, everything changes!!!

Every parent lives by this credo and every childless person takes it with a grain of salt - but little do they know how true it is! I never imagined that having a child would shift my personal style as it has.

My pre-pregnancy wardrobe consists of 10+ years of meticulously selected designs. A combination of urban, high end and vintage wear blending seamlessly, draping the wooden hangers in my seemingly abandoned closet... bright, bold, daring, beautiful. The soft fabrics and vivid prints seem to call out to me daily as I slip past their beauty into the dark abyss that houses my dreaded post pregnancy wardrobe.

Bland, boring, tame and lifeless are just a few words I would use to describe my postpardum apparel. Brown, khaki, blue and black are the norm. I have a few bold prints and colorful T shirts but that's about it. Most purchases are made with the intention of hiding or improving a not so flattering silhouette. My heels have just recently made a reappearance in the 2 months since my son started walking. I feel like a completely different person...

So why don't I just start back wearing my fabulous prepregnancy wardrobe you ask... I will, once I can fit back into it!!! The most wonderful blessing in the world gave me an excuse to devour any and every type of food I laid my eyes on, resulting in my current wardrobe situation. Every woman has a pair of "skinny jeans". Not the current European fashion trend sweeping the Stateside youth, but her own personal gauge of her body in it's perfect form. These are the select pieces of clothing, not just jeans, from years past that fit perfectly. They flatten your tummy, acsentuate your curves and make you appear long and lean allover. We pull them out every 2-5 years to see how far we've strayed or how close we are to our definition of perfection.....

Unfortunately, my wardrobe has become full of nothing but "skinny jeans". A constant reminder of my role in years past as an childless urban socialite. I gave myself 1 year post pregnancy to "get back to my old self". Still adjusting to my new role as a working mother, I have recently come 2 dress sizes closer to reuniting with the majority of my old clothes. I still have 4 dress sizes to go.

As I learn how to blend corporate career wear with urban sophistication, the dread of the early morning walk through my closet has slowly started to transform into a daily mix of eager excitment and anticipation. What has changed you ask? I have come to realize that I may NEVER wear some of those clothes again. (Brace Yourself) My clothes are not important! What important is that I am happy with me. No matter how many fly and fabulous things I have, nothing makes me feel as great as when TJ smiles. Who cares about that size 8 vintage Yves Saint Laurent dress that I found in that thrift store for $10. Or those black size 9 DKNY tuxedo pants that were a total splurg ($98). I would totally give ALL that stuff up and more just to hear TJ laugh...

Now that is the difference a woman and a mother.

Top 10 (last minute) Mother's Day Gifts

2009-05-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is Sunday, so if you haven't gotten anything yet I suggest you (quickly) pick something from the list below...

10. Dooney & Bourke Doodle Phone Case - Okay, so your mom may not dress like a fashionista, but that doesn't mean her sense of style is anything less. Still, she could probably use some helpful fashion tips from you. For starters, there's the stylish Doodle Phone Case from Dooney & Bourke (Normally $34.99 NOW ON SALE $17.99). It fits most slim phones and has a detachable wrist strap.

9. Eco-Friendly Tote Bag - Help your mom go green with an enviro-sack. These are portable little bags that she can carry in her handbag or car because they roll up really small. When she's out shopping at the grocery store or the drug store, instead of using plastic bags, she can throw her items in these bags. They're cute, small and inexpensive.

8. Customized Playlist - By creating a customized playlist with an iPod or laptop, you can give mom the soundtrack to her life. Even if she doesn't have an iPod or mp3 player, she still can download the music to her computer. It's a great way to combine all of her favorite tunes and can be a romantic gesture for husbands looking for the perfect present. It's also financially flexible. You can spend as little or as much money as you want on it. It can be 5 songs or 50 songs.

7. Spa Treatment Gift Certificate - For moms who are juggling a screaming boss at work and a crying baby at home, a regular spa trip will provide a welcome break from the stress. Redbook's Kramer Kaye says a number of spa franchises with inexpensive introductory rates and reasonable memberships are popping up throughout the country. Moms who travel a lot also can enjoy the benefits at various locations. A gift card or a membership for regular visits will be a "gift that keeps on giving" beyond Mother's Day. For facials and skin treatments, Kramer Kaye recommends Facelogic Spas, which offer $49 facials with locations in more than 20 states. For massages, check out Massage Envy, where one-hour massage sessions can start at $39, with 758 locations throughout the nation.

6. Workout Regime - For a new mom who wants to shed her baby weight but doesn't want to to sweat it out surrounded by beautiful gym bunnies, the Reebok Total Body Toning Kit is a perfect compromise. The $30 set comes with a stability ball, two soft weights, training DVD, exercise chart, three resistance bands and a Pilates ring that works for women across all fitness levels.

5. Clean Home - Give mom a much deserved break from her daily grind and treat her to a sparkling clean house, courtesy of Maid Brigade. These cleaning professionals will take great pride in scrubbing mom's house from top to bottom and I guarantee she will appreciate the break!

4. Breakfast In Bed - Give the magical gift of a lazy Mother’s Day morning with a specially prepared breakfast-in-bed. Pick up a tray at a drugstore, then hit the market to stock up on some non-perishable breakfast essentials, like: biscuit, muffin, or pancake mix, oatmeal, coffee, and tea. To add a little flair, include some authentic maple syrup, a jar of gourmet jam, or a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Also, don't forget the single rose in a vase!

3. Organic Garden Seeds - If that special mom in your life has a green thumb, then these would be the perfect addition to her already fabulous garden. Starting at just $17, Seeds of Change are certified organic, and make a very thoughtful gift. If this is the gift for you, try visiting your local nursery for some options.

2. Surprise Visit - Surprise your mom with a visit. Nothing says “I love you” quite like taking a train, plane, or automobile for the sole purpose of telling your mom how special she is. Pick up some "mom friendly" movies on the way, such as: 'Stepmom', 'Mermaids', 'Cheaper By The Dozen', 'Juno' or something that equally relates to your relationship, and your all set for a good time!

1. Jewelry - Jewelry is ALWAYS good, no matter the occasion. One great idea is this sterling silver family bracelet from Things Remembered. The bracelet is $65 and you can have you and your siblings names engraved as shown in the picture. If your working with a slightly higher budget, diamonds rock (literally)...

Ok... so those are my suggestions. Leave a comment with any other suggestions you may have!

How To Reconnect Your Relationship After A Baby

2009-05-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Any parent knows that having a child drastically changes the dynamics of you and your partners relationship. Time once spent lovingly gazing into each others eyes is now being spent on endless round the clock feedings and catching up on sleep, among (many) other things. It's not a theory, or assumption... These are facts! Most couples are not prepared for the hit their relationship will take as a result of having kids. Raging hormones (not the good ones either), no sleep and body image issues kinda have a way of changing the way you view a person. The purpose of this entry is to offer tips on how to reconnect as friends first and reestablish yourselves as a couple in a romantic relationship.

*******

First things first - TAKE A BREAK!!! (with each other) Everyone knows that this is your baby and that you know what is best for him or her. Now that that's understood, get a babysitter. If your parents live close, they probably are dying to look after your little one for a little while. Take advantage of this so you can change out of your sweats, play dress up and go on a much needed date with your significant other... And while I'm on the subject, why are you still wearing those same old sweats anyway? Try to shower and dress presentably everyday. I say try because showering never seemed so far at the bottom of my to do list until I was caring for a newborn. And I promise I wore the same 3 sets of sweats / T shirts until TJ was 3 months old... but I digress... The sight of a nice and clean wife / girlfriend at the door tells your man that you care enough to be pleasing to him. It also reminds him of what attracted him to you even before your new baby came along.

So we have covered "date night", but you can have "date night" every night... After you put your baby down to sleep, try to put off passing out for at least 1 hour. Use this hour to bond with your significant other in a sort of post work ritual. DO NOT talk about the baby during this time. Instead, watch a movie, play board games or just talk about the highlights of your day.

Next - TAKE A BREAK!!! (by yourself) Let your SO watch the baby and go get a pedicure or facial. Watch the baby while he goes to the gym or plays golf. The point is get away from each other for a bit so you can miss each other a little and tend to your own needs. This will also make the time you spend together more special. You will also get a chance to connect with yourself during your "me time".

Next (this actually should have been first) - COMMUNICATE YOUR FEELINGS! You may feel like the whole burden of keeping house, caring for the baby and your SO needs falls solely on your shoulders. He may be feeling overwhelmed by the thought of having to provide for someone forever. Talk to each other about these feelings. Unexpressed emotions just turn to resent in these situations. A good conversation without fault finding and finger pointing can lead to positive resolutions for both of you.

Remember that everything doesn't have to change just because you are parents now. Turn old traditions into new traditions as an entire family. If you used to enjoy going for walks in the park, you can still enjoy these with baby in tow. Being parents should not get in the way of your relationship with each other. After all, your new baby is a beautiful reminder of the relationship you once had.

How The Internet Has Replaced My Social Life...

2009-04-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

3 years ago I was the very definition of a socialite... As a 23 year old college student, I was often found club hopping in the streets of Atlanta or posing for pics in the VIP section of your favorite event. After moving to Texas, of course, my social life slowed down. I didn't know anyone in Dallas initially, but I soon made some friends and everything was back to normal (kinda).... I enrolled in my final semesters of school, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and prepared to launch head first into my career by accepting a seemingly lucrative position at a growing event management company... Everything was perfect, or so it seemed...

Less than 2 months after finishing school and being fired from my "lucrative" job, I knew I was pregnant... I didn't get it confirmed until 2 months after that, but I knew well before it was confirmed. Although it was un-planned and I was unemployed, I was very excited and looked forward to becoming a mom... I had a very easy pregnancy, but needless to say, I had to give up my old ways of hanging out and partying... My lack of funds also made it pretty difficult to do anything... As a result, all the new "friends" I had fell out of touch and I was pretty much in the same position as before... No friends in Dallas... And this continues today... As a new mom, I really don't have any interest in partying anymore, but who doesn't enjoy a break and some time out with their peeps? All my peeps are in the A tho. So now when I want a break what do I do? I visit some of my favorite mom sites, or myspace, or facebook or... you get it... Hey, and least I can have virtual "friends" and an online social life...

The Perfect Wedding For $1000

2009-04-17T08:13:00.001-07:00

Ok... So I have had like 6 friends and family members get engaged since Christmas, so I thought I would offer a bit of advice for planning the perfect wedding on a not so perfect budget. What makes me an expert in this area you ask? Nothing at all, but I am an event planner, have been engaged and am probably thriftier than both our grandmothers... so stay tuned...

So, lets say you are working with a budget of $1000. You can plan and execute a quality event with this limited budget in 3 easy steps.

1. Location, Location, Location - If it's Spring or Summer I suggest having an outdoor wedding. Contact your local parks and recreation department to inquire about area parks. Most offer some sort of shelter or maybe even a lake with an area to perform your cermony. What if it rains you ask... By corresponding with the parks dept. they should offer a contingency plan for this. Make sure to inquire about it when calling around and make sure it's covered in your contract if you sign one. For indoor weddings, again, just call around. Most churches will let you use their facility for a fee if you are not a member. If you choose to get married on a weekday, you could probably keep the total below $100 for your venue. Weekends are always more expensive. Lastly, if you have a friend or family member with a house and/or back yard, this could serve as the perfect location for an intimate ceremony. Best thing about this: they would probably let you use it for next to free, and you don't have to worry about what day you choose! But, don't forget about the minister. You should pay him around $100. And make sure you have proper arrangements if the location of the ceremony cannot convert into a reception venue... I would suggest having both at the same place tho...

2. It's All About The Clothes! - Now that you have the where figured out, you need to figure out what your gonna wear! Shopping for a wedding dress is no doubt one of the most exciting experiences a woman goes through. With a $1000 budget-- actually it's probably about $800 now-- I would start my dress search at the local thrift store. "Oh my God!", you say, "I would never in my life..." I love thrift stores anyway tho, but think about it... Most rich people wear there wedding dress one time and donate it along with all the rest of their expensive stuff they don't want anymore to charity. All this stuff ends up in thrift stores across the nation. If you have patience, and hand sanitizer, you can make some amazing finds.... You will have to get your dress altered to fit you perfectly regardless to if it's new or gently used, so start looking early and you may luck up! Also check out your local bridal boutiques and chain retailers (David's Bridal etc...)... Thay almost always have a $99 sale and a clearance rack. What if one of those $99 dresses is maked 30% off!!! You see where I'm going with this... Now on to your soon to be hubby's attire... You can find a nice suit for less than $100 at places like K&G, The Men's Warehouse, Macy's... You just have to shop around to find something that fits the theme of your wedding. You can find shoes for both of you for less than $50 at Payless or Target. Remember that your braidsmaids and groomsmen and all members of your wedding party are responsible for covering the costs of their attire. I suggest going to the paint department in Wal-Mart and choosing the color you want them to wear (Get some of those paint color sample thingies and give them to everyone). At this point, it is up to that person to find something in that specific color that fits them well and is within their budget... Once you have your dress and suit, you will need to have them altered to fit perfectly. Male sure to have this started early, as some can take months to complete. These prices vary, but call around and check references to find the best deal for you.

3. This Is So Beautiful... - Lets say you pay $100 for your dress, $100 for his suit, and $100 for 2 pairs of shoes... you should be working with about $500 now... We must decorate our venue. The first place you should go is the dollar store. Which one? All of them... you can find artificial flowers, rose petals, bows, table clothes, candles and candle holders... everything you need basically.... It will be a big task, but you can make your own bouquets, bouttaniers, center pieces and chair decorations.... Start early and have your bridal party pitch in... It'll be fun! I suggest Buying a lot of tea light candles and fake rose petals... just sprinkle those around the room and boom! Instant ambiance... You can buy an really inexpensive cake at Kroger or any local grocry store for like $50... You could always make one too, just go to your local bakery to see if they will sell you those little stands to hold up layers and the little people on top (they will)... Also, if you have a family like mine, they won't mind cooking for the big event... Or you could do it pot luck style and have each guest bring a dish. If you go this route, make sure you know what each person is bringing! I would make my reception BYOB if we had any liquor at all... If they want anything harder than the champaign provided to toast the new couple, they need to bring it themselves. The food and drinks are always the biggest wedding expense, so any way around this will help out your bottom line tremendously. You can buy a wedding cd for music...

So, I think that about covers it... I'm sure their are some knicks and knacks I left off, but this was just to get you started in the right direction... If you can plan and do all this with $1000, imagine how awesome of a wedding you could have for $5000.

The moral of the story: You don't have to spend you entire savings to have an amazing wedding!!! Mika, Kena, Daveka, Setara, Erika & Keyshia: Congratulations and I hope this helps!

Me...

2009-04-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ok... So this is my first blog entry, but it will most def. not be the last...

A little about me... I am a 26 year old new mom. My baby is 5 months old and I have been with my boyfriend for almost 2 years... I am from ATL shawty and have 5 sisters. I am the true definition of a leo as well as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas...

I have been told I have very skewed views on the world and have even been called blasphemous at times but I am who I am and believe what I believe, so if you don't like it you can kick rocks back to whatever page you were reading before this (just a warning)...

As you may or may not be able to see at this point, there is much more to me than meets the eye, so I invite you along for an interesting discovery of sorts...